The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-02-25

to mako a snubbing answer, and replict
quietly:
"No, Joseph, you are not SO sick as 20,
think you arc" (Sho calls him Joseph, uu
dibly commented some Of those near as 1
this was a confirmation OF Joes insinuation.
"The surgeons say" sho continued, "tha
your symptoms are not ut all bud, and tha
you'll be up again In u few days"
20, them doctors always talk that way
They're the tiintiest-hearted set l ever seer
in all my born days They're always pre-
tending that they don't believe there Il
nothin' tho matter with Teller. ! really be
lieve they'd little liefer man'd die thar
not. They don't seem to take no sort Of in
terest in savin' the soldiers that the country
needs SO badly"
Rachel felt us IL it would sweeten much
hard service il she could tell Pancake out
right her opinion, that lie was acting very
calnshly; but other counsels prevailed and
she said cncouragingly:
"You are only discouraged, Joseph-that's
all A few days rest here will restore your
health and your spirits.
"No, I'll never be well" persisted Joe
sunless l have the best o. care; but l feel
much better now, since find you here, for
I'm sure you'll take us much interest in me as
. aister would"
She shuddcred little at the prospect Of
even temporary sistcrly relations to tho fel
low, but replied guardcdly:
"Of cou"s" I'll do what can for you
Joseph" AN, started to move away, but he
caught her dress and whimpered:
"Oh, don't 60, Miss Rachel don't 60 and
leave INC all alone. Stay any way till I'm
fixed somehow comfortable"
II half believe the BOBBY will have hys.
terics," thought Rachel, with curling lip. rs
this the man they praised SO for his heroismi
Does all his manhood depend upon his healthl
Now he hasn't the spirit of a sick kitten u
Dreading a scene, however, she took her seat
at the head of the cot, and gave some direc-
tions for its arrangements.
Joes symptoms grew worse rapidly, for he
bent all his crafty energies to that end. Ref
uge in the hospital from the unpleasant con-
tingencics attending duty in the field was a
good thing, and it became superexcellent
when his condition made him the object of
the care and sympathy Of so fine young
lady as Miss Rachel Bond This he felt was
something like compensation for all that he
had endured for the country, and he would
get as much of it as possible. His mind
busted itself in recalling and initiating the
signs of suffering he had seen in others.
He breathcd stertorously, groaned and
sighed immoderately, and even had little fits
of well feigned delirum, in which he babbled
of home and friends and the war, and such
other things as had come within the limited
scope of his mental horizon.
"Don't leave me, Miss Rachel-don't leave
me" he said, in one of the simulated par
oxysms, clutching at the same time, with u
movement singularly well directed for de-
lirious man, one of her delicate hands in
his great, coarse and not over clean fingers
She strove to release her fingers quietly, but
at this Pancakes paroxysm became intense
He chung the tighter to her, and kneaded her
fingers in way that was almost maddcning
Never in all her life had a man presumed to
take such familiarity with her. But her
wonan's wit did not desert her. With her
disengaged hand she felt for and took out a
large pin that fastened bit of lace to her
throat, with the desperate intent to give her
tormentor sly stab that would change the
current of his thoughts
Just at the moment Of carrying this into
effect something caused her to look up, and
she saw DR.. Denslow standing before her,
with an amused look in his kindly, hazel eNel
She desisted from her plrpose and leS
the PIN to It's place, in Obedience to sIs
from him, which told her that he thoroughly
understood the case and had more effective
way or dealing with it than the thrust of a
pin point
I'm very much afraid this is dangerous
case we have here, Miss Bond" he said, in a
stage whisper, as if very anxious that the
patient should not overhcar YES, a very
dangerous case"
Joe grew pale, released Rachers hand.
turned over on his side and groaned
DO you really think so, doctor?" said
Rachel, in the same tone
"Yes, really. It's as clear case of de
gustibus non disputandum as l ever saw in
my life"
"Oh, Lordie hev got all of that?" asked
joe as he sat bolt upright with eyes starting
at is my unpleasant duty to tell you that
you certainly have" said the doctor, gravely.
LAS plainly indicated as l ever saw it. Fur
thermore, it is seriously complicated with fiat
justitia ruat calum, with strong hints of the
presence of In media tutissimus ibis"
"Great Scott! can l ever get well!' groaned
poor Joe. Rachels strain was on ner risibles,
and to make her face express only sympathy
and concern.
"And," continued the remorseless surgeon,
in tone of the kindlest commiseration, "in
the absence Of the least esprit de corps, and
dulce ct decorum est pro patria mort feeling
in you it is apparent that none of your mental
processes are going on properly which de-
ranges everything.
Cant be sent home to die?" whimpered
the wretched Joe.
"Not in your present condition. notice, in
addition to what have told you, that your
heart is not right-its action is depraved, SO
to speak" This with CLAN at Rachel,
which brought the crimson to that damsel's
cheek.
"Oh, doctor, please try to do something for
me right off, before get any worse, " pleaded
Joe, with the tears starting in his eyes
Rachel took this opportunity to slip away
to where she could laugh unobserved. The
surgeons facial muscles were to well trained
to feel any strain. He continued in the same
tone of gentle consideration:
II have already ordered the preparations of
some remedies. The steward will be here in
a few minutes with the barber, who will
shave your head that we may apply couple
of fly blisters behind your ears. They are
also spreading a big mustard plaster in the
dispensary for you, which will cover your